Some more comments on VOTOMS.
I was a little disappoint that it followed what often happens in real robot shows: realistic mecha warfare (hardish sci-fi in this case) but then it becomes about some sort of newtype or magical singing crap. The OVAs help a lot to explain this (yes I am repeating myself).
ScopeDogs > every other mechs ( the Quint/Quent mech is pretty awesome too)
VOTOMS is a great setting for more spinoffs.
The black/dark guy in the show is named Vanilla...that's just...